Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the United States and one of the largest in the world by land area. For first-time visitors, the scale can be disorienting. One massive terminal, three concourses connected by an underground train, and 25 miles of open plains between the runway and downtown Denver.
The airport is more logical than it first appears. This guide breaks down the layout of the Jeppesen Terminal, how much time to realistically allow between landing and reaching ground level, and a few practical details about altitude and weather that tend to catch out-of-state travelers off guard.
DEN has one main building, the Jeppesen Terminal, and three concourses labeled A, B, and C. All check-in counters, security checkpoints, and baggage claim carousels are housed in the Jeppesen. The concourses, where your actual gate is located, sit beyond security.
You can walk to Concourse A via the A-Bridge, a pedestrian walkway with moving sidewalks, in roughly five minutes. Concourses B and C are only accessible by the free underground train, which departs from the center of the building and runs around the clock. The full trip to Concourse C takes under ten minutes.
If you are connecting between flights, plan your time accordingly:
The general recommendation is two hours before a domestic departure and three hours for an international flight. During peak morning hours, roughly 5 to 9 a.m., security lines at DEN can stretch longer than expected even with TSA PreCheck or CLEAR.
It has two main security checkpoints, both on Level 6: the West and East Security Checkpoints.
All ground transportation operates from Level 5 of the Jeppesen, except for the A Line train, which departs from Level 1 at the Transit Center near the Westin hotel.
Here is how each option breaks down:
For travelers heading to the mountains rather than downtown, the ground transportation situation is different. Ski resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen are between two and four hours from the airport depending on weather and traffic. Options include shared mountain shuttles, private car services, and rental cars, though renting comes with the added challenge of navigating I-70 in winter conditions if you are not experienced with mountain driving.
Whatever option you choose, sort it out before you land. Mountain transportation fills up fast during ski season and holiday weekends, and pricing for last-minute rideshares to resort towns can be unpredictable. You can find Denver route details and travel times for popular destinations to help with planning.
DEN sits at 5,434 feet above sea level. Travelers arriving from coastal or low-elevation cities sometimes notice mild symptoms such as:
Drinking water on both ends of your flight helps, and taking it easy for the first few hours is a reasonable precaution, particularly if you are continuing to mountain elevations above 8,000 feet.
Colorado weather shifts quickly. Winter storms can cause significant flight delays between October and April, and summer afternoon thunderstorms are common from June through August. Checking your flight status before leaving for the airport is always worthwhile, regardless of the season.
Some arrivals at Denver International Airport are simple. Others need more coordination before the flight even lands. First-time visitors may not expect the underground train between concourses, the split between east and west sides, or the time it takes to reach baggage claim after deplaning.
Families traveling with luggage, strollers, or ski bags need extra time to get from the gate to the pickup level. Corporate groups can face a different challenge when guests arrive on separate flights, use different airlines, or collect bags from different parts.
Ski travelers should plan even more carefully. Passengers continuing to ski resorts still have several hours of mountain transportation ahead of them after leaving the airport. In winter, snow, I-70 traffic, and resort check-in times can all affect the schedule.
Late-night arrivals also deserve attention. Rental car counters, shared shuttle schedules, and rideshare availability may be less convenient after peak hours. Confirming ground transportation before arrival helps reduce confusion once bags are collected and the next part of the trip begins.
If someone is picking you up in a personal vehicle, a few things to know:
DEN has dining options throughout the terminal and all three concourses, with a strong emphasis on Colorado-based restaurants and breweries. A few highlights worth seeking out:
One. The Jeppesen handles all check-in, security, and baggage claim. Gates are located across three concourses (A, B, and C), which are connected by an underground train.
Concourse B for most flights, with some departures from Concourse A.
About 25 miles. The A Line train covers the distance in 37 minutes. Driving takes 35 to 50 minutes depending on traffic.
Level 5, Island 5, on both the east and west sides.
Level 5 of the Jeppesen Terminal.
